Ten BIG EAST Cross Country Teams Ranked in USTFCCCA Top 30Six women's and four men's teams ranked in national top 30.

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Six BIG EAST women's cross country teams and four men's teams rank among the top 30 in the nation according to the latest USTFCCCA Coaches' Poll released on Sept. 28. Many of the BIG EAST teams were idle last weekend, with only the Villanova and Providence women in action, along with the Villanova men.

The Villanova women held on to that No. 1 spot after posting a perfect score of 15 at the Main Line Invitational on Sept. 23. The Wildcats have held the No. 1 slot all season, receiving all 12 first-place votes.

Georgetown has the next highest ranking on the women's side, holding the No. 6 spot after resting last week. Syracuse and West Virginia were also idle last week, as the Orange dropped one spot to No. 11 while the Mountaineers are ranked No. 18.

Providence was in action last week at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn., scoring 139 points to finish fifth. Then-No. 24 Arizona was the eventual winner. The Friars slid three spots to No. 17 in the national poll. Notre Dame rounds out the BIG EAST teams at No. 30

With six teams in the top 30, the BIG EAST has the most women's teams ranked in the national top 30 of any other conference in the country. The Big Ten and ACC are tied for second with five each.

On the men's side, only Villanova was in action at the Main Line Invitational on Sept. 23. The Wildcats took the top three spots at the meet and went on to a first-place team finish, helping the squad maintain its No. 14 overall ranking. Syracuse remains the highest ranked men's team at No. 11. Idle Providence slid one spot to No. 20, while Georgetown bumped up to No. 24.

The four teams ranked in the top 30 tie the BIG EAST men for the most by any other conference. The Pac 10, Big 12, Big Ten and ACC also have four.

This weekend will see numerous BIG EAST teams compete in major meets, including the Notre Dame Invitational, the Wisconsin adidas Invitational and the Paul Short Run at Lehigh.

The next national poll will be announced on Oct. 4. The BIG EAST Conference Championship will be held at James Beach County Park in Jamesville, N.Y. on Oct. 30. The NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships will be held on Monday, Nov. 22 in Terre Haute, Ind.